University Degrees.

Otago Witness, Issue 1583, 25 March 1882, Page 23

University Degrees.

A meeting of graduates and undergraduates of the New Zealand University was held in one of the lecture-rooms of the Otago University building on Friday evening, to consider the resolution recently carried on the motion of Sir G. M. O'JJorke in the University Senate. Mr D. M. Stuart, who was voted to the chair, said that no doubt all who were present were familiar with the object of the meeting. At the present sitting of the University, Senate Sir G. M. O'Rorke had introduced a motion to the < effect that students living outside a radius of 10 miles from the local affiliated college, or who were engaged in some, trade or profession, earning their own livelihood, should nave their degrees without keeping terms. This. was a radical change in the whole constitution of the University of New Zealand, arid though they might not be able to influence the Senate, they might certainly enter their protest against such a proceeding. He believed that this was a blow levelled at the Otago University and at the Canterbury College, and though he did not like to attribute motives he believed it was intended for the advantage of some who wished to take a short cut to the law by taking a shorter cut to a university degree. The effect of the resolution of the Senate would be greatly injurious to every college or that possessed, a teaching staff worthy of the name. # Unless terms were kept— unless those who gained dejgrees had gone through the discipline of a university course, the value of" the' degrees would be depreciated. Sir G.M.'o'Rorke's speech in favour of his resolutions' was, he considered, one of the weakest of the many weak speeches that gentleman had delivered. Although some of them were graduates, and others members, of the University of New Zealand, it would perhaps be well for them to bear in mind that that institution, like man, had been conceived in sin and born in iniquity ; that it had its foundation in 'motives of jealousy towards Otago. The New Zealand University had been to a great extent merely an examining body. Hitherto, however, it nad seen that those whom it examined were decently accredited; but now it proposed to, throw that overboard, and the result must be disastrous to the affiliated teaching institutions i

1 Mr S. Solomon was surprised that the graduates and undergraduates should have seen fit to assemble with the purpose ' in view. To pass such a resolution as was suggested by the Chairman would be extremely narrow-minded and ungenerous. He did not think they should speculate upon , the motives of Sir G: M. O'Rorke. It, would, he believed,' be conduoiye to "higher education to remove all, obstacles that were' in the .way of, gentlemen anxious, to take degrees who were competent to pass the examinations'' for the degreeß. To endeavour to place obstacles in their way would certainly oe a stepin the wrongdirection. Graduates who were favourable to that course seemed to him to be actuated by the same motive as a young lady, who, having gota new dress hoped that no one else ;w,ould get one like it. There might be i many gifted men who could not afford! to attend terms, and if, without the assistance which others enjoyed, they could pads' the examination it would be all the unore creditable to them ; their' perseverance and ability would deserve to be as highly marked as that of those who were in more favourable circumstances. It seemed to ' him.' unaccountable' tpat they should' desire to throw obstacles in the way of University education. He had mo doubt that all who could would take advantage of the 1 systematic instruction to be obtained under professors, and the resolution would not affect the Otago, University, which was essentially a teaching body. ! Mr F. Fitohktt thought that Mr Solomon had to a great extent mistaken the point. The success of the University of New Zealand must be in exact, proportion to that of the affiliated colleges, 'and the resolution was a direct blow at the' affiliated colleges.' By it the necessity for such systematic training as was given in the Canterbury College ' and the Otago University vf&a abolished, and they would find that their 'degrees would become absolutely worthless. A man would take a "crib" at two years' notice, pass the examination, and forget what he had acquired more quickly than he had learned it. If their degrees were to be of value, the examinations should be thorough, and it should be. seen that none took' degrees unless they had thorough academical training. They should carefully guard against anything that would lower the status of the degrees, and it should be remembered that the degree did not simply mean that a certain examination had been passed, but that • the possessor of the degree had gone through a university course. He moved — " That the students of the University , of Otago respectfully protest against the resolution passed by the University Senate, deeming it very prejudicial to the interests of affiliated colleges and to the University of New Zealand." In the discussion which followed the question was raised as to whether, under the resolution of the Senate, it might not still be necessary to pass the examinations at the affiliated institutions, though it was -not necessary to keep terms., On the assumption that r this was not the case MrFARNiE seconded , the resolution; while, on the assumption that it was, Mr Salmond seconded an amendment moved by Mr Chapman— "That no action betaken in the matter."

Mr Barclay spoke strongly in favour of the amendment. He considered the resolution of the Senate was a step towards nationalising, liberalising, and spreading education, and characterised Mr Fitchett's motion as selfish, narrow-minded, and bigoted. On the question being put the amendment was carried by eight votes to seven.